The new Roland Juno-DS76 Synthesizer is portable but has plenty of performance potential. Roland already had 61- and 88-note Juno-DS synths on its roster, and now it is bridging the gap with the launch of the Juno-DS76. If the 61-note model was too small and the 88-note version too large, try this.
The Juno-DS76 features a lightweight design and a 76-note synth-action. Designed for those who want something a little more portable than the Juno-DS88, but still with a keyboard large enough for serious playing and splits, this is a performance-friendly 16-part instrument that contains more than 1,200 patches, 30 drum kits and 64 performances. There are effects and a pattern sequencer, and if you hook the keyboard up to a computer over USB, you can engage DAW control mode.
For keyboardists who mostly play organ, synth, and other sounds, the Roland Lightweight, 76-note Weighted-action Keyboard with Pro Sounds provides increased playing comfort when different sounds are assigned to the upper and lower note ranges. The keys are also a little longer than a standard synth keyboard, offering a playing feel that is smooth and consistent no matter where the key is pressed. And with a weight of just 15.25 lb, the JUNO-DS76 is much more portable than typical 76-note synths.
The new Moog One could be the Moog polysynth that you have always wanted. Any Moog synth launch is greeted with excitement, but when it is the company’s first polysynth in more than three decades, it is a particular big deal. The new Moog One is described as an “analogue dream synth”, and boasts what Moog is said to be calling the most advanced architecture ever for one of its instruments.
Available in eight- and 16-voice versions, the Moog One comes with three VCOs and two independent analogue filters (a variable state filter and a Moog ladder filter) that can be run in series or parallel. On top of that there is a dual-source variable analogue noise generator, an analogue mixer with external audio input, four LFOs and three envelope generators.
In addition, the Moog One is tri-timbral, so you can effectively play three synths simultaneously. These can be split, layered or zoned across the keyboard, all within a single preset. Each of these synths can have its own parameter settings, note range, arpeggiator, sequencer and effects, so the sound design potential is massive. On the effects, you get plenty, which can be applied on the aforementioned per-synth basis or to the master bus. The likes of chorus, delay, phase, bit reduction and vocoding are supplemented by a range of Eventide reverbs. The effects are digital, but you can ensure an all-analogue signal path if you ‘true bypass’ them.
The Moog One is capable of storing tens of thousands of presets, all of which can be browsed from the central LCD panel. You can also assign presets to the front-panel Performance Sets for quick access, while a Snapshot button enables you to capture all current settings immediately. Presets can be shared via USB drive, too, so it is easy to take the sounds of one Moog One to another. In terms of control, you get 73 knobs and 144 buttons, while additional parameters can be accessed from the LCD centre panel. The synth has a handcrafted ash cabinet and an aluminium front panel, while the 61-note keybed comes from Fatar. An assignable pressure-sensitive X/Y pad provides further expressivity options.
Sequential has gone large with the Prophet X and added a larger keyboard and doubled the polyphony with a new performance mode.
The Prophet XL is a 76-key version of the flagship Prophet X and features the same samples-plus-synthesis hybrid engine. Featuring a premium-quality Fatar keybed, the XL now adds a semi-weighted action, which should appeal to the performers.
In addition, the new performance mode increases polyphony to 32 voices when using a single sampled instrument and a single oscillator. In standard performance mode, the instrument provides bi-timbral, 8-voice-stereo, or 16-voice mono operation.
Dave Smith commented: “We designed the Prophet XL for musicians who wanted more of a good thing. By adding an extended, semi-weighted action keyboard and enabling 32-voice performance mode, we’ve made it even more satisfying to play the acoustic and electric pianos and other instruments where increased polyphony is crucial. We’re making 32-voice mode available on the Prophet X, as well, so that all of our users will benefit.”
Both hybrid Prophets- Prophet XL and Prophet X provide 50 GB of internal storage for importing ad-ditional samples and support for user-created sample content is still on the cards and should be arriving in December, 2018.
Novation announces the SL MkIII MIDI controller and CV-equipped keyboard. The launched of Novation latest generation of its long-standing SL keyboard controller range, with the MkIII and it features an 8 Circuit sequences inside.
What looks to be quite the feature-rich studio centrepiece, the SL range comes with a synth-style semi-weighted keybed and light-guides. While the velocity-sensitive RGB pads have multiple functions, so you can either launch clips, use as a step sequencer, or create beats with polyphonic aftertouch. Designed to be all about sequencing, Novation has seen fit to cram in an eight-track poly-phonic sequencer, with a similar workflow to that of Circuit.
The Novation SL MkIII is positively dripping in I/O with USB; MIDI In, Out, Out 2/Thru; three pedal inputs; Analogue Clock Out; and two CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs.
Yamaha has unveiled a brand new synthesizer workstation, the MODX. This synthesizer workstation replaces the MOFX in their product range. The MODX is a new mid-priced synth with the Montage’s sound engine: AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) sampling and synthesis engine and eight-operator FM-X engine.
The AWM2 section can have up to eight elements, made up of either sample waveforms or oscillators, and is 128-voice polyphonic. The FM-X engine offers eight-operator FM synthesis with 88 algorithms and 64-voice polyphony. Via Yamaha’s online converter app, the MODX can load patches from the company’s classic FM synths, such as the DX7.
The MODX features Yamaha’s Motion Control system and Super Knob controller. This is effectively a multi-use macro controller that can handle complex automation and morphing between layers. For more detailed parameter editing and control, the MODX includes a 7-inch central touchscreen. There is also a complex arpeggio system and multiple performance ‘scenes’ to aid live playing.
In addition, the MODX also features a professional 4-in/10-out, multi-channel USB audio interface. Along with its built-in sample library, the MODX contains 1GB flash memory for user sample upload. It is expandable, with more sound content available from Yamaha.
The MODX is lightweight and is available now in MODX6 61-key, MODX7 76-key semi-weighted and the 88-key Weighted Action Synthesizer MODX8 comes in at a svelte 30.4 lb.
Digital Pianos
